Tailoring in places like Bangkok certainly has its benefits. The costs can be several times cheaper and for some, the quality is good enough.
However, as most who seek tailor services overseas do it within a short span of time, the tailor shops are used to churning large numbers of tailored clothing (including alterations) fast.
1. Post Sale Customer Service
Shop owners will always promise you 100% satisfaction and of course, they have an agenda to do so.
However, for the untrained eye, it is difficult to spot any faults (think clothing quality control) straight away. Furthermore, most people will usually simply do not have the luxury of time as they need to rush to the airport.
Also chances are, with the cheap prices you are charged, no way are the tailor shops going to absorb the costs of two way shipping when you are back home. In some cases, the shipping cost might be close to or even more than the clothing items.
2. Having your Holidays disrupted
This will depend on personal preference. For myself, when I am on holidays, I prefer to immerse myself in local experiences and cultures. If I were to tailor, I will spend a lot of time in a tailor shop which is also an implicit cost.
If you are not fussy and want something that fits better than some Off the Rack piece of clothing, then it might be a good idea to patronise a tailor shop overseas. Otherwise, unexpected alterations might lead to unexpected fitting or waiting sessions, which in turn lead to a sour experience if you were to spend majority of your holidays in a cramped tailor shop.
3. Rushed alterations
Fast, good and cheap do not co-exist. Of course, there are times when the results are satisfactory. But most sweatshops or factories have such limited timelines and inconsistent production volumes, it is virtually impossible to produce consistently good results.
For a tailors shop serving local clientele, the orders in the peak seasons usually do not defer much from off peak seasons. For tailor shops in Bangkok for example, the production volume during a peak month is usually about 5 times as compared to an off peak month!
When you are overloaded at work, it is tough for you to be productive. The same applies to seamstresses working for tailor shops.
On top of that, the waiting period is longer (usually 3-6 weeks) so that the seamstresses will not be overloaded. On the other hand, for tailor shops that serve tourists as clienteles who only have 2-4 days (including production, alteration and minor tasks such as buttons, end to end delivery). Hence, speed is of essence and quality will be inevitably compromised.
4. Tourist trap mentality
The tourism industry is usually associated with quick profits and scams. While this is not entirely true, there are reasons which causes this mentality.
Since you live overseas, there is no authority like CASE where you can complain and expect a follow up. In a best case scenario, you can negotiate for a refund of your deposit by stating that you are not satisfied with the complete product.
In most cases, you will be told “We will fix” or “We will alter”.
Tailor shops will always be happy to alter for you. Labour costs are cheap and most of these shops actually outsource to sweatshops or cheap factories that charge per item (including alteration).
However, these seamstresses who are paid so low will simply not care too much if there are too many alterations for a single item. One, they know the client has limited time because you are a tourist. Two, in most cases, clients will usually give up and collect the item because they have a flight to catch.
5. Lack of reliable recommendations
Sometimes all it takes is a friend to say “I went to this tailor and their shirts last many wears!” for you to find your go-to tailor.
Online review sites for tourists can be easily doctored. Hence, there is a lack of trusted source online unlike any local places where you can sought reliable reviews by word of mouth.
6. Hard selling
Many tailor shops work with hotel concierge or taxi/ tuk tuk drivers to recommend them. This comes at a high fee or commission at your cost.
So, many unsuspecting tourist in South East Asian countries usually end up tailoring.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO TAILOR IN BANGKOK?
1. Do research before going
We’re not advocating everybody to be an expert here. But at least be able to distinguish what’s BS and what’s not.
For example, when they claim their fabric is 100% wool, ask if you can do the burn test if you are paying a premium.
2. Keep your expectations in check
You can receive good value from tailoring in Bangkok etc. However, when you are paying such low prices, do not expect 100% cotton shirts for S$40 or 100% Wool suits for S$200.
That said, if you find a reputable store, you can definitely get shirts or suits that can last a decent number of years.
3. Find one with In house tailors
This is a tough one. But if the cutters and seamstresses are not under the shop’s payroll, they are usually paid a fixed price per item and this compromises quality.
In comparison to those seamstresses, just imagine if you are overworked in certain months while given less work but are underpaid on certain months, how can you produce quality results?
All in all, tailoring in Bangkok or Asia certainly offers consumers a more affordable price range. Despite that there are several reputable tailor shops, there are many more tailor shops that are focused only on earning a quick buck.
